Ruger SP 101, .327 Magnum

[smitholdtimer]

I am just a little leery of asking here but since S&W doesn't seem to want to continue to produce a revolver chambered for the .327 magnum I'm considering the Ruger in the title. Soliciting information from those of you who own or have owned one of these revolvers, please tell me how you like it and how it performs and now, if you had the opportunity to purchase one would you do so? I appreciate your help.

 

[Rastoff]

Ruger used to produce the GP100 in .327Mag, but not any more. I can only surmise that this is due to the lack of consumer interest.

So, to answer your last question, I would not buy one. I'm not a collector and have no interest in guns chambered in unusual calibers.

 

[gutterman]

I do not own a 327 in the sp101 but currently have a 3" 357. They are fine weapons and are built to take the punishment of the magnum loads. The only drawback is that they can be brutal to the hand with full power loads and it takes some getting used to. IMHO you won't be disappointed with one in the 327 and the sp101 is easy to conceal.

 

[BigBill]

I like my Rugers too. Mack truck tough. I did change the grips so they would fit my hand. But well worth it.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Depends what you want it for. I recently bought a Ruger Single Six (seven shot??!) and 327 and love the little monster. 100 gn missile @ 1500 fps. great varmint round. With the price of 22 LR I load 32 Longs and it a really fun plinking gun that is really cheap on ammo.

 

[rwsmith]

Well, if you want.....

If you want a .327 I'd buy an S&W. Except that S&W is not making them. Ruger does make them. And Rugers are good guns so logically, it makes sense to buy the Ruger with no second thoughts. "Bulletproof" logic.

 

[ArkieVol]

Ruger 327 mag

I might buy a S&W J frame 327 Fed mag if it was reasonably priced and not ported like their discontinued 632. Used S&W's chambered in 327 Fed mag now cost far more than I care to pay.

I do, however, have three Ruger 327's that I reload for and love to shoot. With the four factory rounds you can shoot in these guns; 32 S&W, 32 long, 32 H&R mag and 327 Fed mag, you can also hand load an infinite variety of ammunition from mild to wild...up to 100g XTP's at 1500+ fps. which approaches .357 territory.

For personal defense, the SP 101's hold 6 rounds of 327 mag but only 5 rounds of 357 mag. I would like an non-ported, fixed sight, 6 round S&W J frame 327 mag for concealed carry because the SP 101's are a bit heavy for that purpose.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Ruger .327 magnum

Thanks, most of your replies reflect my observations in that I am unable to find/purchase a S&W product that will chamber the .327 Magnum round so I have been forced to look elsewhere. Yes I would have preferred to have the S&W brand but am unable to afford the prices of those available and being an Old Fart, my preferences cause me to reject the Internal Lock. Seems to me that the Mother Ship isn't paying attention or may be they are and this caliber is destined to become extinct. Personally I sure hope not but there has to be a demand before S&W or any manufacturer sees any profit in producing this caliber. Again, "Thank You", I appreciate your input and respect your opinions.

 

[Faulkner]

I'm disappointed that the .327 didn't "stick" in the market. I really think the round has potential as both a light hunting round, plinker, and self defense. I was hoping Rossi or Marlin would come out with a lever gun chambered in the round.

 

[Rastoff]

Can someone please tell me what the .327 has that other, more common, calibers don't?

 

[.455Eley]

I really wish S&W would make a blued Airweight .327 Kit Gun with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights. Id probably buy 3 or 4 of those. Right now I'm looking into getting one of the .327 Single Sixes.

 

[Cal44]

Can someone please tell me what the .327 has that other, more common, calibers don't?

It has close to the muzzle energy of a 357 magnum.

But the smaller caliber means that most 5 shot 38s are 6 shot 32s with the same frame sized gun.

Likewise 6 shot 357s are 7 shot 327s.

The 327 Federal guns also will shot 32 H&R magnum -- a lower power/recoil, but still good SD round.

Also 32 S&W long -- a very mild round that some use for SD. Good for practice

32 S&W -- for plinking.

And in a pinch, you can also shoot 32 ACP.

Quite versatile.

I carry a M31-1 sometimes in 32 S&W long, but would love to find a J frame in 32 Federal. My 31-1 is on the lite side for SD, but with the Buffalo Bore ammo is reasonable IMO.

 

[Rastoff]

It has close to the muzzle energy of a 375 magnum.

But the smaller caliber means that most 5 shot 38s are 6 shot 32s with the same frame sized gun.

(My clip for brevity)

I'm sure you meant to say .357Magnum.

OK, so you have the same muzzle velocity in a smaller package and you potentially get one more round. That of course assumes the gun is manufactured that way.

Then you might be able to shoot some other cartridges as well, but they are all fairly uncommon as well.

Thanks for the explanation. I can certainly see why some would want this caliber. It's still not for me though. I'll stick to the tried and true and common. I guess I'm just a rebel that way.